Jim Owczarski

Pistons use third quarter surge to top Bucks 124-112
🎢 First half up, third quarter down
🔥 Kevin Porter Jr. is on a heater
🧮 Math problems on offense without Giannis
5️⃣ Not-so-great numbers

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www.jsonline.com/story/sports...

#Bucks lose

Doc Rivers is calling it as the bench readies to check in.

Now Kevin Porter Jr. is really favoring his left wrist/hand/arm(?) But he's staying in. Pistons lead 105-87 with 7:50 to go.

It's 97-81 and Doc Rivers calls timeout just over a minute into the fourth quarter.

Kevin Porter Jr. is back in the game for the #Bucks

Pistons lead the Bucks 91-81 after the third quarter.

Kevin Porter Jr. got that left ankle rolled up on - he reached for it right away and limps off the court. #NBASky #Bucks

Andre Jackson Jr. is back in the game, joining Rollins/Porter/Portis/Sims

Both teams are on a SEGABABA, but the Bucks look to be tiring quicker here in the third. It's 81-72 Pistons. That start to the third might have been it for the Bucks.

Fourth foul is called on Myles Turner with 6:23 to go in the third quarter and he checks out for Bobby Portis. Pistons lead 79-69.

13-3*

10-3 start to the third for the Pistons.

Pistons score the half's first four points -- on two Jalen Duren dunks -- and go up 65-56 and Doc Rivers is livid and calls timeout just 1:06 into the third quarter.

The Pistons lead the Bucks 61-56 at halftime. The Bucks are playing the way they have to to win this game - they just need to make a few more shots ... and not have all their guys foul out by the fourth quarter.

And Myles Turner picks up his third foul with 1:38 to go in the first half.

The one day the Bucks can't hit a shot (42%/35%) they're sticking with the Pistons well defensively.

Kyle Kuzma picks up his third foul, this was of the offensive variety, with 3:04 to go in the first half. He compounds it with a technical foul and the Pistons go up 53-45.

Amir Coffey checks in.

The Bucks can't make a shot and the Pistons are making 57% of theirs, but because Milwaukee hasn't given away too many possessions (four turnovers) the Bucks are staying connected down 45-39.

The Bucks turn it over a couple times and suddenly the Pistons are up 43-36.

Porter makes a three to slow things down.

Myles Turner accompanies Andre Jackson Jr. in. Jericho Sims, Kevin Porter Jr. and Gary Trent Jr. round out the #Bucks five right now. They're down 37-36.

Gary Harris commits his third foul with 7:49 to go in the first half, as Ausar Thompson makes an and-one.

And Andre Jackson Jr. is ready to check in. #Bucks

Ryan Rollins picks up his third foul with 8:27 to go in the second quarter. Doc Rivers turns back to Kevin Porter Jr.

So far, Doc Rivers is indeed going with an 8-person rotation.

Detroit shot 50% across the board and lead 29-22 after the first quarter.

Pistons are on a 11-0 run.

But, the Bucks have tightened up their ball handling and do not have a turnover in the first five minutes of the game. And, they lead 12-10.

And, almost on cue, Ryan Rollins picks up two fouls in the first 4:15 -- the second being on Duncan Robinson as he drills a corner 3-pointer. It'd be unbelievable if it wasn't something that happened every game.

As he has in the past, he acknowledged his team fouls too much and it's clear most of the time. He says film is showed often, but they keep doing it. #Bucks

I wouldn't call it a tirade by any means, but Rivers expressed his frustration with 3-point shooters jumping forward over the line onto the feet of defenders and, conversely, defenders being able to crawl up the back of guys driving to the rim and knocking them down for no calls.